The Tribune

By RIEL MAJOR

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames has suggested reports on his clash with Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine in the House of Assembly on Wednesday were overblown as he brushed off opposition calls for him to enroll in an anger management programme.

The Progressive Liberal Party released a press statement about Mr Dames’ “appalling behaviour and loss of temper,” saying this is another reason why he should resign.

However, Mr Dames told reporters at police headquarters yesterday that after watching television reports on the matter, he laughed and said, “Really, this happened?” 

He said: “I was approached by the MP Mr McAlpine who obviously wanted to apologise for some comments he would have made and maybe give the impression that maybe he was misrepresented. I was not interested in hearing it because as I said before, I’m not in the business of playing games.

“We have a country to run, let’s run our country and some of us are getting caught up in these political antics and so I made my point. I left the floor and I went to the restroom and when I was done in the restroom I walked out and came back upstairs, and I answered some questions from members of the press.”

The minister said at no point on Wednesday did he have to be restrained and was in full control of himself. 

“I’m one of those persons who is not in the business of dealing in nonsense. We were elected to do the job of the people and every day you have the opposition, the leaders of the opposition who are giving these outlandish press conferences and not focusing on what we ought to be doing to run this country.

“We inherited this country in a mess and we now have invested interest. We’ve been given a mandate by the Bahamian people to correct all the wrongs that have been done to this country to bring back a level of respectability to this country. 

“I am one of those who take my oath very seriously, very seriously so I’m not going to get involved in the side shows because that’s what it is. You will say something in the press and then when you’re done saying it…damage done you come back and try to butter up. That’s standing on a fence okay…let’s run this country and stop playing games.”

On Thursday, The Tribune and other media outlets reported on the verbal exchange that occurred between Mr Dames and his party colleague as they attempted to leave the House of Assembly.

The dispute, both visible and audible to all those near the chamber when the House of Assembly suspended on Wednesday, seemed to centre around Mr McAlpine’s continued calls for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to address the roles Mr Dames and Health Minister Dr Duane Sands played in the Frank Smith bribery and extortion trial.

“Don’t butter me (up),” Mr Dames shouted at Mr McAlpine who was attempting to speak with him. “I am not with the sideshow.”

The confrontation was quickly acknowledged by several party personnel nearby, all of whom tried to diffuse the situation by moving in to separate the two men.

A visibly frustrated Mr Dames was ushered away, this newspaper reported, leaving Mr McAlpine with what one observer described as a “despondent” look on his face.

Yesterday, the PLP said Mr Dames’ loss of temper was inappropriate and claimed that he was unfit to hold the high position of national security minister.

“It is unsafe for him to remain in office,” a statement from PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell noted. “We recommend that he enrolls in an anger management programme for his own personal good. We therefore add this to the reason we are calling for the resignation of Mr Dames forthwith.”

When asked for a response on the PLP suggesting anger management, Mr Dames dismissed it.

He said: “Yeah they would want to say that…Why, because Marvin Dames is addressing the issue. Marvin Dames is representing the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. 

“I’ve been doing this now for three decades,” Mr Dames said. “I’ve represented this country all over the world and I say to the leader of the opposition and all of those who stand up, let’s go anywhere this world over and let’s measure respectability. Let’s measure trust and see who will remain standing at the end of the day. Let’s see who will remain standing so my reputation precedes me.

“I listen to all of the nonsense and there is obviously a clear intent on their behalf. They want to see me gone, but I’m representing the people of this country and the vast majority of this country is not satisfied with the status quo.

“There are too many people in positions who believe that they own this country and who have raped it left right and centre. We have to fix that for the next generation.”